INTRODUCTION TO

MALAYSIAN SOCIETY
1.1 The Early History Of Malaysia
Ancient (kuno) history
-Paleolithic
-Mesolithic
-Neolithic
-Metal Age
Paleolithic

The characteristics:
- Exist 35,000 years ago
- Lived in caves
- Main activity- collecting product & hunting
- Started using stone tools
- The tools simple & crude
- Area- Tampan Estuary, Badak cave (Perak), Niah
Cave(sarawak) & Tingkayu (sabah).
Mesolithic

The characteristics:
- Exist 11,000 years ago
- Live in caves, along rivers & lake
- Started farming
- Used more refined stone tools
- Able to make earthenware
- Area- Cha cave (Kelantan), Kecil cave (Pahang), Kepah
Cave (Kedah), Jenderam Hilir (Selangor)
Neolithic

The characteristic:
- Exist 5,000 years ago
- Used more sophisticated stone tools.
- Started rearing livestock
- Started communicating with communities in other
places
- Started creating object and using accessories
- Area- Cha cave(Kelantan), Madai cave(Sabah),
Gamantang cave(Sabah), Tengkorak
cave(sarawak)..etc
Metal Age

The characteristic:
- Exist 2,500 years ago
- Population grew
- Developed residential
- Areas in wide open land near rivers
- More orderly & sedentary lifestyle
- Practices social customs
- Area- Lang River(Selangor), Muar river(Johor),
- Tembeling River(Pahang), Terengganu River (Trgnu)
1.2 Protohistory Age
Arise on early kingdoms in the Malay Archipelago
It proves by founding of archaeological evidence &
some record from Yunan, Arab, Persians, China &
India.
What is Malay Archipelago???
Largest group of islands in the world
located off the southeastern coast of Asia between the
Indian and Pacific oceans
It consists of the more than 13,000 islands of
Indonesia and some 7,000 islands of the Philippines
Principal islands include the Greater Sunda Islands
(Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Celebes), the Lesser
Sundas, the Moluccas, New Guinea, Luzon,
Mindanao, and the Visayan Islands.
Malay kingdoms in Malay
Archipelago
Funan- located in Kampuchea, influence by Old
Kedah religion. E.g. Pengkalan Bujang
Old Kedah- monarchy system, strategic location,
important entreport, influence by Hinduism &
Buddhism.
Gangga Negara port & trade centre
Langkasuka, Patani- trade centre, influence by
Hinduism & Buddhism
contd
Chih-tu, Kelantan- influence by Buddhism, strong
relationship with China
Srivijaya, Sumatera- well-known trade centre, strong
relationship with China & India, centre of Buddhism &
Sanskrit language, own several vassal States.
Majapahit, Jawa- Owned several vassal states, trade
centre, strong relationship with China, India & the
Middle East.
Majapahit..
Is the strongest kingdom in 13 century..but..
Its GOLDEN ERA ends after the existence of the Malay
Kingdom of Malacca.
THE MALAY KINGDOM OF
MALACCA
The GOLDEN AGE of Malacca.
Known as The Venice of The East
Spread of Islam
Vast territory
Strong trade relations with China & India
Empire of advance civilization
PROSPERITY OF MALACCA EMPIRE
Geographic- strategic location midway the
trade routes between China & India, its port
hidden from south-west & north-west monsoon
wind, natural deep port.
Economy- centre of maritime, rich with natural
resources, cheap price, low & orderly tax
collection, lots of facilities
Political Administration- centre of the spread
of Islam, diplomatic ties with China, efficient
administrative system, Malay is lingua franca,
strong military
Develop The Early Integration..
Existence of plural society
Existence of plurality society
Plurality in nature..
British Colonization
- Existence of concept Pecah Perintah
(separation between county & religion)
-
Effects of Colonization
British Colonization
- Existence of concept Pecah Perintah
(separation between country & religion)
- Separation of Power ( judiciary, executive & legislative)
- Education 3M
Fall of the Malacca Empire
Factors decline of Malacca
Empire

internal external
Internal
Sultan Mahmud Syah was a weak ruler
Weak administration & lack of efficient
leader
Fight between Malays and Indian- Muslims.
Merchant activities decreased
Sea people do not help Malacca against
Portuguese
External
Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope in
south Africa
Bad attitude from outsiders
Malacca was taken by Portuguese
Internal conflicts
MULTIRACIAL SOCIETY

Ethnic Composition of the Malaysian Population

- Chinese and Indian immigrants came to Malaya after
the development of the tin ore industry in 1848.
- Chinese comprised merchants who settled in Malacca,
Kuala Terengganu and the estuary of the Johor and
Pahang rivers, while Indians were labourers in sugar
cane and coffee plantations in Penang Island and
Province Wellesley.
Ethnic Composition of the
Malaysian Population (Contd)

According to 1870 statistics, the total population in

Malaya was less than half a million
In 1921, the figure increase to 3.3 million.
In 1931, the total population of non-Malays exceeded
the total population of Malays; Malays was 44.7%,
non-Malays were 53.2% where 39.0% was Chinese.
By the time independence, Malays was 49.8%, Chinese
was 37.2%, and Indians was 11.3% and others, 1.8%.
Main inhabitants of Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia
Chinese
Malay
Banjar Hokkien
Boyan Chuan-Chew
Bugis Chin-Chew
Jawa Eng-Hua
Kampar Eng-Choon
Kerinci Hok-Chew
Mendaling Kwantung
Minangkabau Kanton
Rawa Teochew
Johor-Riau Hakka
Hailam
Main inhabitants of Malaysia
(contd)
Indian Indigenous
Malayali Negrito
Punjabi Senoi
Ceylonese Melayu Asli (each of the
Tamil stocks consists of a tribal
Telegu
community)
Sabah & Sarawak
Sabah Sarawak
Bajau Bidayuh
Dusun Bisaya
Murut Iban
Bisaya Kayan
Kadayun Kedayan
Orang Sungai Kelabit
Orang Laut Kenyah
Brunei Melanau
Malays
Murut
Penan
Punan
The Malays

History of the Malays in Malaya

Most of the Malay people in Peninsular Malaya today

were the descendants of people who originated from
the Indonesian Archipelago.
The factors of the Indonesian
migration to Malaya.
After the 1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty,
the area was divided into Indonesia
and Malaysia
Javanese

The great migration resulting from the Dutch

transmigration policy, that is, the moving of people from
the Island of Jawa.
The majority of them consisted of coffee and rubber
plantation workers and labourers in newly opened land. It
was estimated that i1930, there were 170,000 Jawa people in
Singapore.
In Malaya, most of the Jawa people were concentrated in
Johor (Muar, Batu Pahat and Pontian), Selangor (Kelang,
Kuala Selangor, Kuala Langat) and Perak (Hilir Perak,
Krian, Parit Buntar)
Banjar

The Banjar people originated from the district of

Banjarmasin, Kalimantan
Most of them were involved in paddy planting
In 1931, the Banjar population in Malaya totalled 45,382
people
Most Banjar people lived along the coast and in river
valleys such as Kerian, Parit Buntar (Perak), Sabak
Bernam (Selangor) and Batu Pahat (Johor)
Bugis
The Bugis people originated from the Sulawesi Islands
They were the business groups and in Malaya, many of
them lived in Perak, Selangor, Pahang, and Johor
In Johor, the Bugis people were mostly found in the
Benut, Kukup and Rengit (Batu Pahat district) areas,
while in Selangor, they were mostly found in the
Langat Valley, In Perak, the Bugis people were mainly
merchants.
Boyanese
The Boyan people originated from Boyan Island
The majority of them migrated to Singapore, Ipoh,
Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Penang Island.
They concentrated in cities because they were experts
in horse-rearing.
Minangkabau
The Minangkabau people originated from Sumatra
In Malaya, they were found mainly in Negeri Sembilan
and Malacca, where they were known as followers of
Adat Perpatih.
They were mostly involved in business and agriculture.
Economy

Malays were the poorest compared to Chinese and Indians.

Many of the Malays were involved in the agricultural and
traditional industries sectors that were said to have low
productivity.
Most Malays live in the rural areas where the standard of
living is low.
Malays are not exposed to similar opportunities as other
communities living in urban areas.
The British policies had ultimately left the Malays in the
rural areas and involved in traditional economic activities.
The British denied the Malays an involvement in modern
economic activities largely participated by the non-Malays.
Politics

Malays were strong in the political sense but weak

economically.
Malay and pro-Malay parties always have the most
elected representation in Parliament.
Malay organization the United Malay National
Organization (UMNO).
Sosiocultural

Majority of Malays live in villages which the

community has strong ties and strict social control.
The Malays like and have a high regard for consensus
and family is the important institution fro social
security.
All Malays are Muslims, but not all Muslims are
Malays.
The Chinese
The majority of the Chinese in the country today are
descendants of the Chinese immigrants who came in
the nineteenth century.
Most of the Chinese in Malaya originated from Fukien,
Kwangtung and Kwangsi in South China.
The factors that led the Chinese to
migrate to Malaya
Cluster &
Population number in 1921

- Hokkien
380,656
Consist of businessmen and shopkeepers
- Cantonese
332,307
Consist of miners and craftsmen (carpenter, cobbler
and iron smith)
-Hakka
218,139
Consist of miners
Cluster &
Population number in 1921
(contd)
-Teochew
130,231
Consist of shopkeepers and farmers who started sugar
cane plantations in Wellesley Province and Penang
Islands, and Gambier plantation and black pepper in
Johor
-Hailam
68,393
Consist of restaurant owners and suppliers of
household needs
Economy

Many of them were involved in business as merchants,

businessmen, and craftsmen.
They are based on sub-ethnic groups; the Hokkiens
controlled the rubber estates, while the Hainanese
concentrated more on the coffee shop business.
Politics
MCA-the Malayan Chinese Association to protect their
interests and also for self-government.
The poor Chinese began to voice their feelings through
Labour Party, the People Progressive Party and the
Peoples Action Party.
Sociocultural

In Malaysia, most of the Chinese are Buddhists.

They celebrate festivals based on their roots in the
history and culture of society in China such as The
New Year is celebrated based on the rotation of days
related to planting activities.

The Indians
There was an Indian settlement in Malacca known as
Kampung Kling. The Indians were also recognized as
propagators of Islam.
The Indian population in Malaya consisted of those
originating from South India (Tamil Nadu).
They Indian labourers migrated to Malaya to work in
rubber and sugar cane plantations, constructing
building and roads, and as a domestic helper.
The factors that encouraged the
migration of Indians to Malaya
Tamil

Originated from Tamil Nadu

The largest ethnic group in Malaya (80% of the whole
Indian population in Malaya)
Mostly worked in the rubber and oil palm plantations.
Others worked in government offices.
Malayali

Originated from the Malabar Coast. Also known as

Malabari.
Formed 7% of the total Indian population in Malaya
consisting of the working and middle class.
The working class is mostly found in the plantations
and the middle class, in clerical and professional
employment, they are also famous for their
restaurants.
Telegu
Originated from Andhra Pradesh
Formed 4% of the total Indian population in Malaya
Mostly worked as labourers in plantations
Sikh

Originated from Punjab

Mostly worked as police and railway station officers,
security guards. Also involved in the rearing of cows. It
was said that the Sikhs bullock cart service was an
important form of transport in the tin mines.
Starting from the 1920s, there were many Sikhs
involved in business and the professionals fields.
Economy

The Chettiar groups came to Malaysia as loan

providers and were not involved in other businesses.
However, many of them started businesses like
restaurants, hairdressing and cloth stores.
The majority of the Indians in Malaysia had low
income, and was involved in low-skilled or unskilled
occupations.
Politics

The main Indian political party in Malaysia is the MIC

(Malaysian Indian Congress).
The opposition by the citizens of India against the
British colonialists greatly influenced the political
activities of the Indians in Malaya before World War
One.
Sociocultural

Majority of the Indians in Malaysia from South Indian

descent speak Tamil.
Every group has its own dialect, societies and religion.
Most of the temples in Malaysia are Saivite temples.
The religious festivals celebrated are Thaipusam in
Penang and Kuala Lumpur and Sithraparuvam in
Teluk Intan and punggal or New Year festival.
INDIGENOUS POPULATION OF
SABAH AND SARAWAK

Kadazan
The largest community, also known as the Dusun
people.
Originally from Kalimantan and most of them live in
the hinterland.
Concentrated in the areas of the Ranau and Tambunan
Valley.
 Bajau
This community was originally from Mindanao and
Sulu Island and was known as the sea people and
Samal people.
Concentrated in Semporna, Kota Belud and Timbang
Island in Sandakan Bay.
Murut
Live mostly in the interior such as Tenom, Rundu, and
Pensiangan
A small number among them still live in long houses
and are nomads
 Sulu
Originally from the Sulu Archipelago and now
concentrated in Sungai Sugut
Muslims
- Brunei
Originally from Brunei and now settled in Sabah, in
Beaufort, Kimanis and Papar
Muslims
 Malay
Originally from Sumatra, they have been there since the 15th century
Live mostly along the coastal area
Muslims
Melanau
Live mostly along the Igan, Oya and Mukah rivers.
Muslims
Assimilated with the Malays and practice the Malay culture.
Iban
Originally from Kalimantan (River Kapuas)
Also known as the Sea Dayaks
The largest community and live in inland areas such as along the
Sungai Sekrang, Sungai Batang Lupar and Sungai Rejang
Penan
Most of them live as nomads in the woods.
Kelabit
Settled mainly in the area of the rivers Baram and Rejang
The most famous of their villages is Bario
Some of them still live in long houses
ABORIGINES
Negrito

-Kensiu , Kintak , Jahai , Lanoh , Mendriq , Bateq

Found in Kedah, Perak, Kelantan and Pahang.
Small body Frame, Dark colored skin, Large nose,Curly
hair
Activities: Cultivation and collecting forest products
Live near the edge of the jungle, along the banks of
rivers
Senoi

Semai, Temiar, Jahut, Che Wong , Mahmeri, Semoq

Beri
Found in Perak, Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang,
Terengganu
Taller than Negritos, Dark colored skin
Activities: Shifting cultivation
Settlement areas: Hills, away from the coast.
Melayu Asli

Temuan , Semelai, Jakun, Kanaq People, Kuala People,

Seletar People
Found in Selangor, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca
and Johore.
Larger and taller than Negritos, Dark colored skin,
Straight and black hair
Farming,Fisherman
Settlements areas: Close to Malay villages
UNITY AND NATIONAL
INTEGRATION
Concepts of Unity and Integration

National unity generally refers to the uniting of various

groups that have different social and cultural
backgrounds, into one physical entity.
Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

The country is a multi-racial society that has

successfully created peace and become a model of a
calm and peaceful plural society for other countries.
The Theory of Racial Relations

The relation between races can be seen from the

degree of nearness beginning with relations that are
apart to relations that are close.
The processes portray how minority groups become
part of the main stream of a society.
The Theory of Racial Relations
(Contd)
Segregation Split the area of the residence, the school
system, transportation, public facilities and others among
the ethnic groups in a country by law (de jure) or not based
on law (de facto).
Accomodation The ethnic groups aware of each others
norms and values but they continue to safeguard their own
living culture. Each ethnic group sends a representative
who represents his own group and sometimes they are
mutually dependent on one another.
Acculturation Known as cultural assimilation. Process
of borrowing or accepting the cultural elements of the
majority group, without changing the original cultural
elements.
The Theory of Racial Relations
(Contd)
Assimilation Known as structural assimilation. The
concept of assimilation is about the entry into a
dominant society through friendship and close
connection.
Amalgamation Happens when culture or race mixes
to form types of new culture and race. e.g.: inter-
marriage between ethnic groups or races.
History of Ethnic Relations
Before a society achieves the stage of integration, it
usually goes through five stages of change.
- Stage of co-existence:
The people in same area rarely communicate and
contact between them is limited to matters of
necessity only.
-Stage of frequent external contact:
Gradually frequent contact among the communities
occurred, but the contact was still unable to establish
an understanding among them.
History of Ethnic Relations
- Stage of compromise:
Communities conscious of their common interest and
usually compromise takes place in the economic and
political area.
- Stage of unity:
The communities in the society compromise and cooperate
as much as possible, there is the tendency for them to live
unite in many ways
- Stage of integration:
Cooperation among races and they share the same values
create a sense of belonging and strong ties among them.
National Integration Problems

Prejudice
Pre-judgment action or attitude towards other groups
or races.
Communalism
Attitude of favouring ones own ethnic community.
Lead to social gaps between ethnic.
Ethnocentrism
Belief that ones own culture is superior to that of
others.
Causes and Reinforcing
Obstacles to Integration
Ignorance of other ethnic groups
Limited or lack of understanding of the way of life, the
living conditions and the problems of other races.
Socialization only within ethnic groups
Process of socialization of one ethnic group cannot be
exposing to other cultural elements.
Communal Politics
Each community still has their own racial political
party to voice the feelings and demands of their
community.
Causes and Reinforcing Obstacles to
Integration( Contd)
Socio-economic difference
The socio-economic differences among the ethnic
groups still obvious and led to jealousy and suspicious.
Cultural Differences
Different cultures could spark off feelings of prejudice,
racism, and ethnocentricism.
Segregation or Physical Separation
Physical segregation results in an ethnic group not
knowing another ethnic group.
THE STRIFE TOWARDS UNITY AND NATIONAL
INTEGRATION

Political Efforts
Actions through the legislative system laws and acts are
made by Parliament to settle the problem related to unity.
The Constitution contains a number of clauses oriented
towards racial equality, such as allocations that provide
protection to certain communities.
Political Efforts (Contd)

The Seditions Act aimed at preventing an

individual from raising sensitive issues in public.
The Internal Security Act (ISA) is aimed at
protecting the countrys interests and internal
security.
The Alliance, the Barisan Nasional unites all the
parties into one bigger multi-racial organization.
Economic Efforts

Government took some measures and recorded in the

five-year plan and government development policies to
have economic equity among the races and to reduce
the identification of race by economic activity.
Creating Malay entrepreneurs by giving loans, license
and work contracts.
Economic Efforts (Contd)
Government encourages the bumiputra community to
buy government shares and property like MARA.
Creating industrial zones to give employment
opportunities to the bumiputra community.
Government encourages foreign investors to invest in
the country.
Social and Cultural Efforts

The government encourages the sharing of values

among the races.
In 1971, the government introduces the concept of
National Culture to create a national identity for the
plural society of Malaysia.
The Malay language was used as the official language
and also the national system of education.
The government sets up agencies and organizations
such as KEMAS to develop racial unity.

THE BASIS OF RACIAL UNITY IN

MALAYSIA
METHOD TO ACHIEVE
NATIONAL INTEGRATION
Methods for Socio-psychological
Development
Methods for Socio-economic
Development
The End